Page 1 of 1
Best sounding keyboard switch?
Posted: 05 Dec 2020, 07:52
by Kneeboard
Out of curiosity I want to see what you think the best sounding keyboard is. I've heard a lot of talk about Blue alps, Holy pandas, IBM beamspring keyboards (I love that sound though) but are their any ones even better than that.
Re: Best sounding keyboard switch?
Posted: 05 Dec 2020, 08:04
by Weezer
I like the sound of those old univac keyboards
Re: Best sounding keyboard switch?
Posted: 05 Dec 2020, 08:50
by TNT
I like the clicky Fujitsu Leaf Springs, but it has a lot to do with the thickness of the keycaps and the chassis, and so on. Capacitive buckling spring (maybe with floss mod) also sound so nice to me, the thock of the Model F's spacebar is something else
Re: Best sounding keyboard switch?
Posted: 05 Dec 2020, 09:08
by Kneeboard
TNT wrote: ↑05 Dec 2020, 08:50
I like the clicky Fujitsu Leaf Springs, but it has a lot to do with the thickness of the keycaps and the chassis, and so on. Capacitive buckling spring (maybe with floss mod) also sound so nice to me, the thock of the Model F's spacebar is something else
I love the linear Leaf springs as well. The TI99 also has one of my favourite sounds for typing. Also the Model F with floss mod sounds so fantastic I swear!
Re: Best sounding keyboard switch?
Posted: 05 Dec 2020, 09:16
by Kneeboard
Weezer wrote: ↑05 Dec 2020, 08:04
I like the sound of those old univac keyboards
A hybrid between click and thock.
Re: Best sounding keyboard switch?
Posted: 05 Dec 2020, 09:30
by TNT
This may be personal bias, but I love the sound (and feel) of old IBM Thinkpad's keyboards. I don't know what type/brand of scissor-switch it is, but combined with the taller keycaps of the older Thinkpads and the direct transmission to your desk, they can sound quite satisfying
Re: Best sounding keyboard switch?
Posted: 05 Dec 2020, 09:40
by Kneeboard
TNT wrote: ↑05 Dec 2020, 09:30
This may be personal bias, but I love the sound (and feel) of old IBM Thinkpad's keyboards. I don't know what type/brand of scissor-switch it is, but combined with the taller keycaps of the older Thinkpads and the direct transmission to your desk, they can sound quite satisfying
I've actually heard a lot of people talk about the ThinkPad's keyboard. While I've never had one I've always loved the opening and closing thing with the keyboard and the sound it makes is admittedly amazing. Its insanely good considering the fact that its a laptop keyboard as well
Re: Best sounding keyboard switch?
Posted: 05 Dec 2020, 17:06
by hellothere
First, I'd just list all the switches in the keyboards I own that feel great, so that won't necessarily get you anywhere: Alps pine white, salmon, and orange. Buckling springs on the Model M.
Ones that I've heard and are in keyboards I'd like to possess are
clicky Fujitsu Leaf Springs and
Alps Plate Switch. *Pok* *Pok* *Pok* *Pok* *Pok* I think the FLS might sound a little better than the Alps. However, if I ever get a keyboard with those switches and it doesn't feel good, I'll associate the sound with badness.
The Kailh Thick Click Box Navy switches sound really nice, especially if used for the spacebar, if you want to go for something more modern.
Chyros' video for the 7 best sounding switches is at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW3tUA84nZ0.
==========
Kinda turning the topic around, my vote for best no-sounding linear switches are Fujitsu Leaf Switches.
Re: Best sounding keyboard switch?
Posted: 15 Dec 2020, 01:00
by Kneeboard
hellothere wrote: ↑05 Dec 2020, 17:06
First, I'd just list all the switches in the keyboards I own that feel great, so that won't necessarily get you anywhere: Alps pine white, salmon, and orange. Buckling springs on the Model M.
Ones that I've heard and are in keyboards I'd like to possess are
clicky Fujitsu Leaf Springs and
Alps Plate Switch. *Pok* *Pok* *Pok* *Pok* *Pok* I think the FLS might sound a little better than the Alps. However, if I ever get a keyboard with those switches and it doesn't feel good, I'll associate the sound with badness.
The Kailh Thick Click Box Navy switches sound really nice, especially if used for the spacebar, if you want to go for something more modern.
Chyros' video for the 7 best sounding switches is at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iW3tUA84nZ0.
==========
Kinda turning the topic around, my vote for best no-sounding linear switches are Fujitsu Leaf Switches.
Fujitsu Leaf Springs sound insane in most versions. The clicky ones are my favourite tho. Also the TI99/4A keyboard also sounds very nice
Re: Best sounding keyboard switch?
Posted: 15 Dec 2020, 01:59
by ppCircle
Kneeboard wrote: ↑05 Dec 2020, 07:52
Out of curiosity I want to see what you think the best sounding keyboard is. I've heard a lot of talk about Blue alps, Holy pandas, IBM beamspring keyboards (I love that sound though) but are their any ones even better than that.
"Keyboard"? Well then. Chicony Kb-5161a with blue alps switches.
Re: Best sounding keyboard switch?
Posted: 15 Dec 2020, 04:06
by John Doe
Also, vote to the FLS 3rd clicky switches, really fascinating.
Re: Best sounding keyboard switch?
Posted: 15 Dec 2020, 04:41
by Polecat
Futaba MA, but what do I know, I haven;t heard some of the others.
Re: Best sounding keyboard switch?
Posted: 15 Dec 2020, 20:07
by Kneeboard
Polecat wrote: ↑15 Dec 2020, 04:41
Futaba MA, but what do I know, I haven;t heard some of the others.
I think this comment from one of chyrosran22's videos best describes it
"Hmm... "clicky" just doesn't seem to be quite the right word for these switches in this board... maybe... clonky"
Re: Best sounding keyboard switch?
Posted: 15 Dec 2020, 20:15
by Kneeboard
Weezer wrote: ↑05 Dec 2020, 08:04
I like the sound of those old univac keyboards
Kinda sounds like a Typewriter turning into a Keyboard
Re: Best sounding keyboard switch?
Posted: 15 Dec 2020, 20:15
by Kneeboard
ppCircle wrote: ↑15 Dec 2020, 01:59
Kneeboard wrote: ↑05 Dec 2020, 07:52
Out of curiosity I want to see what you think the best sounding keyboard is. I've heard a lot of talk about Blue alps, Holy pandas, IBM beamspring keyboards (I love that sound though) but are their any ones even better than that.
"Keyboard"? Well then. Chicony Kb-5161a with blue alps switches.
Blue alps do sound spectacular.
Re: Best sounding keyboard switch?
Posted: 15 Dec 2020, 22:51
by Weezer
Kneeboard wrote: ↑15 Dec 2020, 20:15
Weezer wrote: ↑05 Dec 2020, 08:04
I like the sound of those old univac keyboards
Kinda sounds like a Typewriter turning into a Keyboard
Yeah I like keys with a fat sound. Beam spring and alps also sound nice but they were already mentioned so I didn't want to be redundant.
Re: Best sounding keyboard switch?
Posted: 15 Dec 2020, 23:00
by headphone_jack
I really liked the sound of my ITW magnetic valve low profile switches, they had a really nice thoccy sound to them.
Re: Best sounding keyboard switch?
Posted: 16 Dec 2020, 00:48
by Kneeboard
headphone_jack wrote: ↑15 Dec 2020, 23:00
I really liked the sound of my ITW magnetic valve low profile switches, they had a really nice thoccy sound to them.
That's the deepest thocc I've ever heard. Where was this all my life?
Re: Best sounding keyboard switch?
Posted: 16 Dec 2020, 00:52
by Kneeboard
Weezer wrote: ↑15 Dec 2020, 22:51
Kneeboard wrote: ↑15 Dec 2020, 20:15
Weezer wrote: ↑05 Dec 2020, 08:04
I like the sound of those old univac keyboards
Kinda sounds like a Typewriter turning into a Keyboard
Yeah I like keys with a fat sound. Beam spring and alps also sound nice but they were already mentioned so I didn't want to be redundant.
Beam springs and most alps switches are the first things that come to most people when someone mentions a switch that sounds nice. Imo the best sounding keyboard are usually loud and thocky and most of the time have a sort of typewriter sound to them.
Re: Best sounding keyboard switch?
Posted: 16 Dec 2020, 02:45
by hellothere
Kneeboard wrote: ↑16 Dec 2020, 00:52
Imo the best sounding keyboard are usually loud and thocky and most of the time have a sort of typewriter sound to them.
I'm old enough to have used typewriters. Like, often. Get off my lawn, you whippersnappers!
Anyway, I do think you have a point with the typewriter idea, but I don't associate the sound with typewriters as much as, "Mmmm. Job complete." That's also probably why I decided I really don't like linear switches, although, if you do have linear keyboards you want to send me, PM me and maybe I'll even pay for shipping.
Re: Best sounding keyboard switch?
Posted: 16 Dec 2020, 03:28
by Polecat
Kneeboard wrote: ↑15 Dec 2020, 20:07
I think this comment from one of chyrosran22's videos best describes it
"Hmm... "clicky" just doesn't seem to be quite the right word for these switches in this board... maybe... clonky"
I previously described the Futaba MAs here as "clunky", so we must be onto something.
Re: Best sounding keyboard switch?
Posted: 16 Dec 2020, 12:22
by shine
blue alps (in good condition) are unmatched
Re: Best sounding keyboard switch?
Posted: 16 Dec 2020, 13:22
by Kneeboard
Polecat wrote: ↑16 Dec 2020, 03:28
Kneeboard wrote: ↑15 Dec 2020, 20:07
I think this comment from one of chyrosran22's videos best describes it
"Hmm... "clicky" just doesn't seem to be quite the right word for these switches in this board... maybe... clonky"
I previously described the Futaba MAs here as "clunky", so we must be onto something.
Clunky
Clonky
It's starting to make sense now
Re: Best sounding keyboard switch?
Posted: 16 Dec 2020, 23:49
by hellothere
Kneeboard wrote: ↑16 Dec 2020, 13:22
Polecat wrote: ↑16 Dec 2020, 03:28
Kneeboard wrote: ↑15 Dec 2020, 20:07
I think this comment from one of chyrosran22's videos best describes it
"Hmm... "clicky" just doesn't seem to be quite the right word for these switches in this board... maybe... clonky"
I previously described the Futaba MAs here as "clunky", so we must be onto something.
Clunky
Clonky
It's starting to make sense now
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0JAfKnTJjI
Re: Best sounding keyboard switch?
Posted: 17 Dec 2020, 04:23
by Kneeboard
Re: Best sounding keyboard switch?
Posted: 17 Dec 2020, 04:24
by hellothere
I'm definitely making a keyboard with Futaba MA my next buy when my budget allows. They do have a great sound.
Re: Best sounding keyboard switch?
Posted: 17 Dec 2020, 05:49
by Polecat
Hail to the Great God Clonk! Just happy I almost got close.